Winder control system



y 1950 F. c. FENNELL 2,508,150

\ WINDER CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Sept. 19, 1947 I a l 2. I ///-1 45 K /45 n; I L I INVENTOR :5 3 no frank 6 fen/2e.

BY c; W.

2 ATT RNEY Patented May 16, 1950 WENDEE CGNTROL SYSTEM Frank C. Fennell, Greensburg, Pa, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East littsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 19, 1947, Serial No. 775,069

13 Claims.

My invention relates to electric control systems for winding flexible material, such as textile, wire, rubber or plastics.

It is known, in connection with wire insulating machines, to provide for the processed wire material a take-up. stand with, two exchangeable reels or spools so that when one reel is full, the running material is transferred to the other reel and thereafter out between the two reels so that the full reel can be replaced by an empty one while the other reel is being filled. In these known machines, the two reels, when running simultaneously during the transfer period, are driven by a single motor which is controlled by a variable-voltage (Ward Leonard) system to maintain substantially constant winding tension. Mechanical clutch devices or the like controllable transmission means are provided to couple the motor with either reel or with both reels during the various stages of the winding and transfer operations.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electric control system, generally of the kind above-mentioned, that eliminates the need for mechanical clutches or the like devices and secure an operation of improved smoothness and a higher degree of controllability.

To this end, and in accordance with my invention, I equipeach reel to be driven with a separate drive motor and provide the motors with respective control means that are electrically interlinked to operate the reels during the transfer periods in the proper relation to each other to permit transferring the winding material from 1e full reel to the empty reel under maintenance of optimum running conditions.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, subsidiary to the one above-mentioned, I energize both or all motors of the 'multiple winding device from a single generator and regulate the motors for constant winding tension with the aid of a single regulating generator.

According to another and more specific feature of the invention, I provide each motor of a double winding device with a control field Winding and cross-connect the control field windings of the two winder motors during the transfer period so that the two motors are effective to impose a speed matching control upon each other.

These and other objects and features of the inven ion will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment illustrated in the drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically the two reels of a double windup stand, while Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the windup stand with the associated control devices and the appertaining electric control system.

In Figure 1 the material to be wound is denoted i. material may consist of a wirev or thread which comes from a fabricating machine or equipment and passes between rollers 2 through a guide 3, guide 3 is reciprocable along a structure i in order to place the Wire properly on one of the two reels denoted by In and H0. In the illustration of Figure 1, it is assumed that the material 5 was previously wound onto the reel it and that this reel is filled and ready to be removed from the stand. In order to permit a continuous operation of the fabricating machinery that supplies the material I, the material is transferred to the empty reel Hi! before the woundup material is cut off. In order to eifect the transfer a loop of material is pulled manually or by automatic means; and this loop, denoted by L is placed in ontact with the core portion of reel i it which is running at that time. As soon as the material i is caught by reel III], a knife K is moved into the path of the material portion between the two reels so that the material. is cut at this place. From then on, the guide operates to lead the material I onto the reel 5 it which continues its winding operation while the full reel It is remove-d from the stand and replaced by an empty one. When the reel H0 is filled, the material l is transferred back to the empty reel it, etc.

At the instant the material i is transferred from the full to the empty reel, both reels must be operating at the same rotational speed. Otherwise, the empty reel would unwrap the material from the full reel. However, as soon as the material is properly attached to the empty reel and cut from the portion wound up on the full reel, the empty reel must be speeded up because the material on the empty reel has initially a much smaller diameter than that on the full reel and hence is running too slow in linear feet per minute as compared with the speed at which the material is supplied from the fabricating machinery.

The control system according to the invention has two separate motors for driving the respective reels it and lit and these motors are so controlled that the speed of each reel, during its normal winding performance, is regulated for substantially constant winding tension. During the above mentioned transfer period, however. the control system operates to run both motors four contacts IB, I9, 20 and 2|.

ing coil 23. denoted by 25 and 26.

at the same speed and preferably at a speed value suiiiciently reduced for a satisfactory transfer operation. After the material is out between the two reels, the system operates to automatically accelerate the drive motor of the empty reel up to the normal speed and then continues to regulate this speed for constant Winding tension.

The means for achieving the just-mentioned control performance will be described presently with reference to Figure 2. According to Figure 2, the shafts on which the two reels I and HG are exchangeably accommodated are driven through respective mechanical connections, here schematically represented by dash lines II and H i respectively, from the armatures I2 and H2 of two respective direct current motors MI and M2, each having three field windings denoted by I3, i4, I5 and H3, H4, H5, respectively.

The two motors are provided with two interlinked control systems. The elements of the control system appertaining to motor MI are denoted by numerals between l6 and 53. The corresponding elements of the control system appertaining to motor M2 are denoted by the same reference numerals except that the prefix I is added. For instance, the element I ll of the control system for motor M2 corresponds in design and function to the element ll of the control system for motor MI. Consequently, only the control system for motor MI need be described in detail, the description being immediately applicable to the control system for motor M2 if the just-mentioned difference in the reference numerals is observed.

Energization for both motors is supplied from the armature 5 of a main generator G whose field winding 5' is separately excited from a suitable source of constant voltage (not illustrated). The speed regulation of both motors is effected by means of a regulating generator R whose armature 6 is under control by three field windings I, B and 9. The field winding 1 provides selfexcitation. It is shown to be serially connected in the circuit of armature 6 although a shunt or compound field may be used instead. A calibrating resistor in the circuit of field winding I is denoted by I.

The control system for motor Mi includes several relays or contactors CMI, Cl, CRI, AI, Bi and a limit switch SI. The corresponding devices of the control system for motor M2 are denoted as a whole by 0M2, C2, CR2, A2, B2 and S2 respectively.

Relay CMI has a control coil IT for actuating Relay CI is a timing relay which picks up when its main coil 24 is excited and drops oiT when an adjusted timing period has elapsed after the coil 24 is deenergized. The timing period can be adjusted within limits by varying the excitation of a neutraliz- The appertaining relay contacts are Relay CRI has a control 0011 21 for actuating two contacts 28 and 29-. Relay AI is an acceleratin contactor. Its coil 3i actuates three contacts 32, 33 and 34.

Relay BI is a timin relay of an electromagnetic design similar to that of relay CI. The neutralizing coil of relay BI is denoted by 35. The main coil 36 of relay BI actuates three contacts 31, 38 and 39.

The armature circuit of motor MI, as well as the control coils of the above-mentioned relays, are energized from the positive and negative 4 mains P and N of generator G. The energizetion of the motor armature circuit and of the relay coil circuits is switched in by a normally open start contact 4|, and the energization is ultimately interrupted by the actuation of a normally closed stop contact 42.

The limit switch SI has two contacts 43 and 44 actuated by a roller 45 or feeler element which contacts the material wound up on reel I0. Contacts 43 and 44 close only when the reel is filled with material and ready to be taken off the stand.

The control system for motor MI includes also a group of resistance devices. A rheostat 5| serves to provide adjustable excitation for the neutralizing coils 23 and 35 of relays Cl and BI respectively, in order to permit a calibration of the timing periods of these relays. A tapped resistor 52 is series connected with the armature I2 of motor MI and serves as a starting resistor. A rheostat 53 is series connected with the motor field winding l3. This field winding serves to limit the motor speed and the limiting eii'ect can be adjusted by means of the rheostat 53.

The above-mentioned elements of the control system for motor MI are duplicated in the system for motor M2 as mentioned. There are, however,

some additional devices which are common to both systems. A resistor 54 is connected in parallel to the pilot field winding 8 of the regulating generator R under the joint control of contacts 28 and I20 in relays CMI and 0M2. Also common to both systems are two resistors i 55 and E55 and appentainins, control relay T whose contacts I51, I58 and I59 of relay T are controlled by a coil I60 whose circuit is jointly controlled by contacts 48 and I48 of the out control device D.

The device D for controlling the knife K is shown to have two push buttons 46 and I46, each of which controls an electromagnetic device (not illustrated) for moving the knife K into the path of the loop of material that extends from the full to the empty reel during the transfer period. Button 46, when actuated, also causes two contacts 47 and 48 to open. When contact I46 is actuated, the corresponding contacts l4! and I48 are opened.

The operation of the winder drive is as follows.

The system is set into operative condition by driving the armatures 5 and 6 of generators G and R at constant speed. As customary, both generators may be mounted on a common shaft and driven by a constant speed motor. If desired, the same shaft may also carry the armature of an exciter for providing the constant voltage needed for the generator field winding 5'. With the motor generator set running, the generator mains P and N are energized.

Assuming that the winder is at rest and that the reel Ill is to be started first, the operation is initiated by actuating the start contact 4|. This contact then closes for coil 21 of relay CRI the circuit:

Relay CRI picks up and closes a self-holding circuit at contact 28 which shorts the start contact 4I. Conseouently. the performance continues even when the start contact H is thereafter released. Contact 29 of relay CRI places excitation on the speed limit field winding I3 of motor MI in the circuit:

Contact 28 or relay Cit! closes: for coil 36. of timing. relay'Bi' the circuit-:-

RelayB-t picks up. Its contact 38 closes for coil 24 of timing. relay Cl the circuit:

Relay Cl picks up and at contact it closes for coil 31 of accelerating relay Al the circuit:

Relay Al picks up and closes the motor armature the circuit:

The entire starting resistor 52 is serially included in the armature circuit ('6). because con." tech 39 of timing relay BI is open. The motor Ml starts accelerating. Contact 33 is now open andv thev coil circuit (3) of timing relay BI is interrupted. Hence, after the elapse of a timing period determined by the excitation of the neutralizing coil 35, relay Bl drops out and its contact 39' shorts part of resistor 52 for increased acceleration. of motor ML Relay Al remains in because. its contact 32 closes. the holding circuit:

When timing relay Bl drops out, its contact 38 opens the coil: circuit (4) of relay Cl. After the elapse oi itsv timing period, relay Cl drops out and its contact 25 closes for coil ll of relay Clvii the circuit;

Contactor CMI picks up. Its contact I8 opens the coil circuit 65a) of relay Al. Relay Al drops out. Its contact 34 opens the armature circuit (6), but a new armature circuit excluding the entire starting resistor 52 is now established through contact 25 of rela CMl:

This circuit extends through the control field H5 of motor M2 although the latter is not running at this time. The circuit (8); also extends through the pilot field winding 8 of the regulating. generator B. This provides for generator R a control component proportional to the armature current of motor Ml. It will be understood that instead of connecting the pilot field winding 8 directly in the motor armature circuit, some other circuit connection may he used to render the excitation of pilot field winding 8 proportional to the armature current. For instance, a fixed resistor may be series connected in. the armature circuit, and pilot field winding 8; may be connected across the resistor so that the voltage. drop imposed on winding 8 is proportional to the current flowing through the fixed resistor.

Motor MI. is now running at the proper speed. Under these. conditions, the motor field winding i5 is notexcited because the motor M2 is at. rest. However, the speed limit field winding I3 is excited and the main control field ll of motor M2 is excited from the armature 6 of the regulating generator R in the field circuit:

The voltage generated in armature 5 of generator R and efiective on the control field winding M of motor MI is. due to the resultant excitation of field; windings l, 8 and 9. As mentioned above, the pilot field winding 8 is excited in proportion to the armature current of motor MI. The pat.- tern field winding 9 is excited in the field circuit:

The. pattern field excitation is adjusted at rheostat 256. Field windings 8 and S operate differentially so that their resultant field effect is zero when the armature current of motor MI is in accordance with the adjusted pattern field excitation of winding 9. If the motor armature current departs from the correct value, the resultant field excitation of windings 8 and 9 assumes a finite difierential value and its polarity depends upon whether the armature current is above or below the correct value. The resultant differential field efiect in regulating generator R is then such as to increase or decrease the voltage generated in the armature B so that the excitation of the motor control field winding 35 changes in the direction and to the extent needed to reestablish the proper current value. As a result, the motor speed adjusts itself to the value necessary for maintaining a substantially constant armature current. Under this operating condition, the torque of the driven reel varies in dependence upon the speed variation of the motor so as to maintain constant in the winding material. In other words, due to the control effect of the regulating generator R, th reel when empty operates at a higher speed of revolution than when it is filled so as to maintain a constant linear speed of the material l.

The self-excited field winding 1 of regulating generator R doesv not immediately participate in the just-mentioned control performance but serves to provide a high amplification factor. By

a proper selection or adjustment of the resistor l, the resistance line of the self-excited field circuit is adjusted to. be approximately coincident with the initial linear portion of the magnetic or no-load characteristic of the generator R. Consequently, the self-excitation provided by field winding '1 has the tendency to maintain the output voltage of generator R at any otherwise adjusted value along. the linear portion of the characteristic. Hence, the two field windings 8 and 9 are merely called upon to provide the slight additional control efiect needed to shift the operatin point of the generator up or down along its characteristic. Therefore, minute changes in the differential field excitation provided by windings 8- and 9 are sufiicient to cause relatively large voltage, changes to occur across the generator armature 6.

when the reel i is nearly filled with material, the limit switch S9 operates to prepare the system for the transfer of the. material to reel Hi1. Roller 45, moving upwardly, closes the contacts l3 and 44. Contact 44 lies electrically in parallel to the start contact i l! for motor M2. Consequently, the closing of limit contact 64 establishes for coil I21 of relay CR2 the circuit:

Relay CR2 picks up and closes the self-holding while energizing the speed limit field I I3 of motor M2 in circuit:

Pi29--i l3|53--N (12) 0011 136 of B2 is energized in the circuit:

P-l28-l33--l36-l-l (1.3)

Relay L picks up. Its contact I38 closes the following circuit for coil I24 of C2:

Relay C2 picks up. Its contact I25 closes for coil I3I of relay A2 the circuit:

Accelerating relay A2 picks up and closes for motor M2 the armature circuit:

At the moment relay B2 drops out, its contact I38 opens the coil circuit (is) of relay C2. Hence, after elapse of another timing period, relay C2 drops out and closes, at contact 525, the following Relay CM2 picks up. Its contact tit opens the coil circuit (15) of relay A2. Its contact 34 opens the armature circuit (16) of motor M2, but a new armature circuit is now established, under exclusion of the starting resistor I52; through contact i2! of relay CM2:

It will be noted that before the circuit (18) is established, the armature connection of motor M2 is separate from the pilot field winding 8 of the regulating generator, and also separate from the control field winding I5 of motor MI. Consequently, the operation of motor M2 during its accelerating period, i. e., the starting current of motor M2, does not affect the operation of the motor MI. Only when motor M2 has accelerated, is the circuit (18) effective to energize the field winding I5 in motor MI and to impose a control effect on the pilot field winding 8 of generator R. Under these operating conditions, both motors are equally controlled by the regulating generator and impose a mutual control upon each other due to the cross-connected field windings I5 and l I 5. Consequently, both motors are now regulated to operate at the same speed, This speed is automatically reduced to a value conveniently low for transferring the material from the full to the empty reel. The speed reduction is due to the fact that when relay CM2 closes, its contact I20 places the resistor 54 in shunt with the pilot field winding 8 of generator R which increases the excitation of motor field windings I4 and I I4. The shunt resistor circuit extends between the elements 64 and N of circuit (18) and in parallel to the field winding 8 as follows:

The transfer of the material from reel ID to reel III) is now effected, as described above, by throwing a loop over to reel I Ill until the material is firmly secured to reel III] and then actuating the knife K of the cutting device D. This is preferably done by fully automatic means that operate in dependence upon the completion of circuits 8) and (180.). However, since the auto matic means are not essential to the invention Relay drops out.

proper, they are not illustrated, and, for explaining the invention, it may Just as well be assumed that the loop L (Fig. 1) is pulled by manual means and that then the operator pushes the button I46 at the empty-reel side of device D.

Actuation of button I46 causes a solenoid (not shown) to operate and to move knife K until it cuts the material. Simultaneously, the contacts I41 and I48 are lifted and opened. Contact I4! opens the coil circuit (1) of relay CRI which drops out and opens contact 28 so that the coil circuit (7) of rela CMI is also interrupted. Relay CMI drops out. Its contact 2I cuts the armature circuit (8) of motor MI. Motor MI and reel I0 stop, and the real can be replaced by an empty one while reel I I0 is being filled with material.

As soon as, during the just-mentioned stage, the wire has found a foothold on the empty reel and starts winding on the latter, the load on motor MI drops and its armature current in circuit (8) drops correspondingly. Since, as explained, the generator R regulates the motor fields I 4 and H4 for constant motor armature current, the drop in excitation of pilot field winding 8 in generator R has the effect of weakening the excitation of motor field windings I4 and I M. This causes both motors to accelerate under increase of their armature currents. During this acceleration the cross-connected series field windings I5 and H5 tend to keep the motors in step (the loaded reel has approximately three times the moment of inertia of the unloaded reel).

Relay T and the associated circuits serve to increase the just-mentioned acceleration for shortening the transfer period. During the interval between the closing of contact 43 of limit switch SI and the subsequent opening of contact N8 of cutting device D, coil I60 of relay T is energized in the circuit:

P-4348I48--65I60--N (19) Relay T picks up and, by opening contact I58, inserts the resistor I55 serially into the pattern field circuit (10) instead of the resistor I56 which is now shorted by contact I53. Resistor I55 is rated to recalibrate the pattern field circuit for increased acceleration. As a result, the motor M2 rapidly reaches sufiicient speed to again place tension on the material I. At the moment when relay CMI drops out to stop motor MI, contact 20 of relay CMI opens the resistance shunt circuit (18a) of the pilot field winding 8 so that motor M2 assumes normal winding speed, and the speed is then regulated for constant winding tension in the same manner as previously that of motor MI.

The winder can be stopped at any moment by opening the stop contact 42 or I42 of the operating motor. When at rest, the system can be started with motor M2 by actuating button I.

Control systems according to the invention are applicable for winding devices which require a very wide range of valuable winding speeds, for instance, up to a ratio of 20:1. They are advantageously applicable to various types of fabricating machinery such as wire insulating machines of the continuous vulcanizing type, machines for making plastic tubes, rubber, paper or textile fabricating machinery and the like.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that winder control systems according to the invention permits various modifications and can be embodied in a manner different from the example specifically illustrated and described in this disclosure without departmg from the essence of acosnso 9 my invention and within the" essential features set forth in the claims annexed hereto.

'1 claim as my invention:

1. An electric control system for a .continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two reel drives disposed for alternately taking up the material to be wound and having two respective drive motors, two control systems connected to said respective motors, limit switch means connected with each of said control systems for causing one motor to start operating before the other motor is stopped so that both motors run simultaneously during overlapping intervals of their respective running periods to permit transfer of material from one to the other reel drive during said intervals, and cutting means disposed for severing the transferred material between said two reel drives and electrically connected to said control systems to stop said other motor in dependence upon actuation of said cutting means.

2. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two take-up reel drives each having a motor, two control systems connected to said respective motors and capable of operating each motor independently from the other, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start operating when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material transferred from said one to said other reel drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device having contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive when said control device is actuated.

3. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two reel drives disposed for alternately taking up the material to be wound and having two respective drive motors, two control systems connected to said respective motors, limit switch means connected with each of said control systems for causing one motor to start operating before the other motor is stopped so that both motors run simultaneously during overlapping intervals of their respectiv running periods to permit transfor of material from one to the other reel drive during said intervals, a out .control device disposed for cutting the transferred material between said reel drives and being electrically connected to said control systems to stop said other motor in dependence upon actuation of said device, speed regulating means, and relay means forming part of said control systems and being connected with said limit switch means and with said device for controlling said speed regulating means so as to maintain said two motors at substantially equal speeds during said intervals.

4. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two takeup reel drives each having a motor, circuit means for energizing said motors, two control systems connected to said respective motors for controlling their respective energization from said circuit means, each of said motors having a speed controlling field winding, regulating means having a control circuit and being connected to said field windings for controlling the speed of said motors substantially .in accordance with the energizing currents of the respective motors, said control systems having sequence relays interlinked with one another and connected to said circuit means and to said regulating means for first ac celerating each motor and thereafter connecting regulating means to said field winding of said motor when starting the motor, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material transferred from said one to other r el drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device havin contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive in dependence upon actuation of said device.

An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two takeup reel drives each having a motor, circuit means for energizing said motors, two control systems connected to said respective motors for controlling their respective energization from said circult means, each of said motors having an armature circuit and field means that comprise a speed control winding, a regulating generator having an armature connected to said speed control windings for providing variable excitation therefor and having control field means connected to said motor armature circuits for controlling said excitation in dependence upon the current in said armature circuits so as to maintain said current substantially at a desired value, said control systems having sequence relays interlinked with one another and connected to said circuit means and to said control field means of said generator for starting each motor while said control field means are disconnected from said armature circuit of the accelerating motor and connecting said control field means to said armature circuit after said motor has accelerated, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material transferred from said one to said other reel drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device having contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive in dependence upon actuation of said device.

6. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel Winder, comprising two take-up reel drives each having a motor, each motor having an armature circuit, a speed-limiting field winding and a control field winding, energizing circuit means, two control systems for connecting said armature circuits and said speed-limiting field windings of said respective motors to said circuit means, speed regulating means having a control circuit and an output circuit, said output circuit being connected to said control field windings of said motors for providing controllable excitation therefor, said control circuit being connected under control by said systems to said armature circuits of said respective motors for controlling said excitation in accordance with the currents substantially constant, said control systems having sequence relays for first energizing said armature circuit and speed-limit field winding of each motor when starting the motor and subsequently connecting said control circuit to said armature cir- 11 cult of said motor after acceleration of the latter motor to prevent the starting current of said motor from afiecting said excitation, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material 1 transferred from said one to said other reel drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device having contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive in dependence upon actuation of said device.

'7. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two reel drives disposed for alternately taking up the material to be wound and having two respective drive motors, two control systems connected to said respective motors, limit switch means connected with each of said control systems for causing one motor to start operating before the other motor is stopped so that both motors run simultaneously during overlapping intervals of their respective running periods to permit transfer of material from one to the other reel drive during said intervals, each of said motors having an armature circuit controlling field means connected to the armature circuit of the other motor under control by said control systems so that during said intervals said respective field means impose an initial speed-matching control on said motors, and a cut control device disposed for severing the transferred material between said two reel drives and electrically connected to said control systems to stop said other motor in dependence upon actuation of said cutting means device.

8. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two take-up reel drives each having a motor, each motor having an armature circuit, a speed-limiting field winding and two control field windings, energizing circuit means, two control systems having relay means for connecting said armature circuits and said speed-1imiting field windings of said respective motors to said circult means, speed regulating means having a control circuit and an output circuit, said output circuit being connected to one of said control field windings of said respective motors for providing controllable excitation therefor, said control circuit being connected under control by said systems to said armature circuits of said respective motors for controlling said excitation in accordance with the currents in said armature circuits for maintaining said currents substantially constant, said systems having sequence relays for first energizing said armature circuit and speed-limit field winding of each motor when starting the motor and subsequently connecting said control circuit to said one control field winding of said respective motors, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material transferred from said one to said other reel drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device having contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive in dependence upon actuation of said device, said control systems being connected to said other control field windings of said motors for connecting said other control field winding of each motor to the armature circuit of the other motor to impose an initial speed matching efiect on said motors during the interval of simultaneous running.

9. An electric control system according to claim 6, comprising resistance means disposed in said control circuit of said speed regulating means, a relay disposed for controlling said resistance means and connected to said limit switch means and to said out control device to control said resistance means limiting the drop in motor speed during the interval of simultaneous operation of said motors.

10. An electric control system for a continuously operable two-reel winder, comprising two take-up reel drives each having a motor, each motor having an armature circuit, a speed-limiting field winding and a control field winding, ereergizin circuit means, two control systems for connecting said armature circuits and said speedlimiting field windings of said respective motors to said circuit means, a regulating generator having an armature and two initially differential and balanceable control field windings, said generator armature being connected to said control field. windings of said motors to provide controllable excitation therefor, one or" said generator control field windings being connected to said circuit means to be energized by normally constant voltage, said other control field winding of said generator being connected under control by said systems to said armature circuits of said respective motors for controlling said excitation in accordance with the currents in said armature circuits, said control systems having sequence relays for first energizing said armature circuit and speedlimit field winding of each motor when starting the motor and subsequently connecting said other generator control field winding to said armature circuit of said motor, two limit devices each associated with one of said respective reel drives and electrically connected with the control system appertaining to the motor of the other reel drive for causing said latter motor to start when the reel of said one reel drive is substantially filled, and a out control device disposed to permit severing material transferred from one to said other reel drive when said two motors are running simultaneously, said device having contacts electrically connected with said control systems for stopping said motor of said one reel drive in dependence upon actuation of said device 11. A system for Winding material, comprising means for exchangeably accommodating two take-up reels, means for supplying material to one of said reels at a time, said supply means and reel accommodating means being disposed relative to each other to permit transferring the material from the full reel to the empty reel, a cutting device disposed for severing the material extending between said reels after the transfer or the material, two drive motors in driving connection with said respective reel-accommodating means, two control systems for operating said respective motors, two limit devices each asso ciated with one of said respective reel accommodating means and electrically connected to the control system appertaining to the motor oi said othe reel accommodating means for causing said latter means to start operating when the reel driven by the first operating motor is filled, said cutting device having contact means electrically connected with said control systems so as to stop said first operating motor when, after the trans fer of material, said cutting device is actuated.

12. A system for winding material onto reels, comprising a, take-up stand having means for exchangeably accommodating two reels in juxtaposition so as to permit transferring material from one to the other reel, a cutting device disposed relative to said stand to permit cutting the material that stands between the reels after a transfer, two electric drive motors connected with said stand for driving the respective reels, two electric control systems connected to said respective motors and having each a start-control limit switch spacially associated with the accommodating means for the reel driven by the other motor so as to start one motor when the reel driven by the other is filled with a given amount of material, each of said control systems having a stop-control contact associated with said cutting device so as to stop said other motor in dependence upon the actuation of said device.

13. A system for winding material onto reels, comprising a take-up stand having means for exchangeably accommodating two reels in juxtaposition so as to permit transferring material from one to the other reel, a cutting device dis- 14 posed relative to said stand to permit cutting the material that stands between the reels after a tra-nsfer, two electric drive motors connected with said stand for driving the respective reels, two electric control systems connected to said respective motors and having each a start-control limit switch spacially associated with the accommodating means for the reel driven by the other motor so as to start one motor when the reel driven by the other is filled with a given amount of material, each of said control systems having a stop-control contact associated with said cuttin device so as to stop said other motor in dependence upon the actuating of said device, and speed control means connected with said motors under control by said systems for controlling said motors to operate at substantially the same rotational speed during their intervals of simultaneous operation.

FRANK C. FENNELT...

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UN ITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,637,700 Lee et a1. Aug. 2, 1927 1,846,894 Morgan Feb. 23, 1932 

